Saturday, December 31, 2011 "Christian Nation" Part XI (The Bible and the Clergy)

Saturday, December 31, 2011

"Christian Nation" Part XI (The Bible and the Clergy)

First From Julie's Keyboard:

Lately in study, I've come across the days of old king Nebuchadnezzar.  If you remember this account in the book of Daniel, you'll surely note the strange things that occurred during the era of this man.  For the record, we know that he was a Babylonian king and the God that we serve was not considered his God.  At any rate, this man got into great trouble because of a terrible sin that he permitted in his life.  The great sin of "Pride."

Yes, in spite of God's warnings and dreams with interpretations that He permitted for Neb, the man still rose in proud arrogance declaring his great abilities to all.  For a fresh rendering on this, read the 3rd and 4th chapters of the book of Daniel.

However, for a focal point today, it seems we'd do well to study the matter of king Neb and his mistakes.  The sin of pride is such a sneaky thing so many times.  When God enables us to perform and blesses us with talent and ability for things in this life, we must keep this in check according to what He told us in His Word.  He simply doesn't share His glory with any man. 

King Neb was brought low from his boastings and made to live as an animal for seven years.  God could have just taken him out of the picture if he'd wanted to do so, yet He chose to discipline in a manner with lasting impact.  The Father hates pride.  Among the seven abominations listed in the Proverbs,  "pride" is listed first.

The Scripture in Daniel 4:37 gives us a word to the wise from king Neb himself:

"Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

Can you think of a lower form of abasement than actually being turned into a beast that lives as an ox?  Neb got a chance to make restitution for his sin.  You and I are walking out our chances day by day.  How do we deal with this sin called "pride?"  Do we take the "meek and lowly" position described by Christ?  May we truly give glory where glory is due. 

To our Father, God be all glory, honor, and praise!

Scripture References:

Proverbs 6:16, 17 "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:   A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,".....

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughly spirit before a fall."

Luke 18:14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

Have a blessed week and begin a blessed New Year,

Julie

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"Christian Nation" Part XI (The Bible and the Clergy)

After touching on the Bible in last weeks post I wanted to address the men who used it in this weeks discourse.  Of course such men were sought after in the military as reflected by the general orders of Washington during his command.  On July 9th, Washington order chaplains appointed for each regiment and then, in his general orders called on the men to attend to their spiritual matters.

Washington issued the order: "The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a chaplain to each regiment . . . the Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure chaplains accordingly; persons of good characters and exemplary lives.  To see that all inferior officers and solders pay them suitable respect and attend carefully upon  religious exercise.  The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger.  The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor so to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country." ~ Washington, Writings (1932), Vol. V, pp. 244 -245, July 9, 1776.

If one was to make reference to a Christian soldier defending his country, one could assume it would be incumbent to refer to that country as a "Christian Nation". 

But these men of the Bible did much more than just fill the position as chaplain in the military.  Rev. Peter Powers preached a sermon on March 12, 1778 entitled "Jesus Christ, the True King and Head of Government" based on Matthew 28:18. This sermon was addressed to the General Assembly of Vermont, which also gives us some insight to the Christian sentiment not only of the people but those in political office as well. 

In this address Rev. Powers declared:  "We have renounced the tyrant of Britain and declaimed loudly against monaricial power and have set up a free people.  We own no other prince or sovereign but the Prince of Heaven, the great Sovereign of the Universe.  To Him we swear allegiance and promise, through His abundant grace, to keep His laws." ~ Peter Powers, Jesus Christ the True King and Head of Government. March 12, 1778 at Windsor (Newburyport: John Mycall, 1778), p. 29.

It is interesting to note the actions of the General Assembly after hearing this sermon, they ordered the address to be printed and distributed among the people.  This Christian view was in no way rejected among the general populous or general leadership of the United States during it's formation.  This would also be conducive to the character of a "Christian Nation".

Rev. John Peter Muhlenberg on January 21, 1776, preached to his Virginia congregation concerning the crisis in America.  He shared with them how America had been founded in it's pursuit of religious  and civil liberties and that they were now in danger of losing those liberties.  He concluded with the words from Ecclesiastes 3, " . . . there is a time for all things, a time to preach and a time to pray, but those time have passed away"

And then in a loud voice, he declared from verse 8, "There is a time to fight, and that time has now come!"

Finishing his sermon, he gave the benediction, and then removed his clerical robe to reveal the uniform of a military officer underneath.  He stepped down from the pulpit and marched back to the church door and ordered the drums to beat for recruits.  Three hundred Christian men joined him that day and they became the Eight Virginia Regiment. 

Rev. Muhlenberg went on the become on of the highest ranking officers in the Revolution and attained the rank of Major General. 

The Rev. John Craighead fought and preached alternately. 

The Rev. Dr. Cooper was captain of a military company.

The Rev. John Blair Smith was captain of a company that tallied to support the retreating Americans after the battle of Cowpens.

The Rev. James Hall commanded a company that armed against Cornwallis.

The Ref Wm. Graham rallied his own neighbors to dispute the passage of Rockfish Gap with Tarleton and his Britain dragoons.

The Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green was orderly sergeant.

The Dr. Moses Hodge served in the army of the Revolution.

The Clergy were so prominent in the military that the British referred them as the "Black Regiment" due to the wearing of their black clerical robes.

After successfully achieving a formal peace treaty with Great Britain, which by the way opened with "In the name of the most holy and undivided Trinity." Congress announced:

Whereas it hath pleased the Supreme Ruler of all human events to dispose the hearts of the late belligerent powers to put a period to the effusion of human blood by proclaiming a cessation of all hostilities by sea and land, and these United States are not only happily rescued from the dangers and calamities to which they have been so long exposed, but their freedom, sovereignty and independence ultimately acknowledge. 


And whereas in the progress of a contest on which the most essential rights of human nature depended, the interposition of Divine Providence in our favor hath been most abundantly and most graciously manifested, and the citizens of these United States have every reason for praise and gratitude to the God of their Salvation. 


Impressed, therefore with an exalted sense of the blessings by which we are surrounded, and our entire dependence on that Almighty Being from whose goodness and bounty they are derived, The United States in Congress assembled,  do recommend it to the several States . . . a day of public thanksgiving that all the people may then assemble to celebrate with grateful hearts and united voices the praises of their Supreme and all bountiful Benefactor for his numberless favors and mercies. . . . and above all that he hath been pleased to continue to us the light of the blessed Gospel and secured to us in the fullest extent the rights of conscience in faith and worship. ~ Journals of . . . Congress (1914), Vol. XXV, p. 699, proclamation for October 18, 1793.

In concluding this thought let us consider that the powers that be in the United States as well as the general populous during this era encouraged and promoted the use of the Bible, admired the service and dedication of the clergy to the American cause, both in their sermons and military service. 

Congress time after time recommended to the people their continued praise and thanksgiving to their Common Lord, a recommendation that was overwhelmingly received.

I think we can safely conclude at least existing during this era the nations character was still conducive to the term "Christian Nation".

Happy New year to all and May God's blessing follow you throughout it's entirety.

David